Dystrophic calcification of the aneurysmatic left ventricular apex

Abstract

Pathologic calcium deposition may be observed in the valve leaflets, valvular annulus, pericardial scar areas in chronic constructive pericarditis, and myocardial tissue. A direct x-ray may reveal the area of calcification in any of these tissues. The most common cause of myocardial calcification is myocardial infarction (MI) in which calcium accumulates in the infarcted tissue during myocardial healing process. The authors present a case of diffuse myocardial calcification located in the left ventricular apical aneurysm in a patient who had an MI 24years ago, together with a diagnostic and therapeutic approach. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.